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Volvo considering R-Design performance package for S80 flagship

 
3 1,871 views Jul 29, 2009

2010 volvo s80 025

Volvo plans to test the waters with an R-Design interior package for the S80

Volvo plans to test the waters with an R-Design interior package for the S80

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Most people may not associate Volvo with performance, but the Swedish company has been offering sporty, factory-installed options on a number of models in its range through its R-Design branch for several years now. Noticeably absent from the list of vehicles that get the R-Design treatment is the S80 sedan, but it seems that now Volvo is finally going to test the waters to see if there is a market for an S80 R-Design.

In order to do this, Volvo will be monitoring the success of an R-Design interior package in order to gauge customer reaction to a more expensive R-Design treatment for the exterior of the car, reports Autocar. The interior package costs around ($820), but the full exterior treatment will cost significantly more if Volvo decided to build it.

If an R-Design S80 were to be released next year, we could expect to see a sporty bodykit accented with a new rear-spoiler and a more aggressive appearance all round, as well as a custom interior and possible suspension adjustments to give the car a sportier ride.

Should the R-Design S80 get the go-ahead, the adjustments will mostly be cosmetic but Volvo is also considering an option to install a fuel-saving engine stop-start system - a feature that is already found in other Volvos such as the C30 and S40. Increasing the environmental credentials of its cars will be an important undertaking for Volvo as it looks to roll out a number of hybrid vehicles in the next few years in what will soon be a fairly competitive market.
2010 Volvo S80

HI-RES GALLERY: 2010 volvo s80 025




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Comments (3)

  1. ma_Mike avatar Mike Posted: 7/29/2009 5:57am PDT

    I like Volvos, but I wish they'd release some proper "R" models, rather than the bodykit/trim packages they currently offer. The old 850 T5s were sleepers, too.
     
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  2. ma_bepsf avatar bepsf Posted: 7/29/2009 12:20pm PDT

    IMO, R-Design Volvos are rather pointless - Volvo needs to spend their limited development funds on new product, not trim kits.

    The Viking boy-racers can always go to Heico for their performance mods.
     
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  3. By  Carla Kelly Posted: 9/28/2010 3:56pm PDT

    I was floored today driving our Volvo S60 r to have seen a black Volvo passing me and I read Volvo S80 r on the back. Wondered if I had seen right? S80 r? Wondering if this was a rally car, test driving a new model? Had a hard time finding anything online looking for an S80 r but here they are! I would like to find out more about this car.
    Sincerely, Carla Kelly
     
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